Mommy & Me Girly Fun Bday 10/31 Last Day & AT home

[Marshay]

When we got back to our room there was a Birthday Card waiting for us.

We called Daddy to tell him all about our "3 parks in 8 hours" day then got ready for Typhoon Lagoon.

I had been here pre-kids and remembered enjoying it but didn't remember much about it except the wave pool and snorkeling with the fish/sharks.

I was hoping to see lots of Photopass Photographers here but alas we didn't see any at all. We walked around trying to find a spot to put our stuff -- spaces were hard to find but I knew the park would begin to clear out in another hour or so.

We headed straight to the Lazy River and floated around twice. Once you got on you didn't want to give up your spot!

Then we got off at the Shark Reef and Rachel freaked out the first time and would not do it. Now we had practiced this at a pool, we put a snorkel and mask on her at the kitchen sink filled with water....but alas, when we got there and she felt the cold water, and tasted the salt water and some got in her mask and she saw the sharks/fish and how deep it was ... she lost it.

So she decided to go the bridge where she could watch me snorkel. After I was done, I asked her if she wanted to do it again but she said no. So I told her to watch me again while I snorkel and she could see me from the underwater viewing area.

She loved that! After I was done she was telling me all about the fish she saw...but still didn't want to try it again. So we moved on.

We did Keyhaul Slide 2x, Mayday 2x, Crush n Gusher on all 3 slides and the Family Slide. Oh, and the wave pool 3x plus we ate dinner there. I was worried that she would be too scared on the slides, particularly where she had to go by herself, but since Disney allowed her to wear her life jacket, she felt more secure.

She just learned to swim 3 months prior to our trip but is not a good swimmer at all. So having the life vest was great for both of us.

Finally, it's almost park closing and I ask her one more time -- do you want to try Shark Reef? Let's end this day on a positive note knowing that you conquered your fears and did it!

She said she would try and I told her she didn't have to put her face in the water at all if she didn't want to. She told me I had to hold onto her the entire way.

And that's what we did. She made it across ... and even put her head in the water for little bits at a time.

I was so proud of her ... and she was so proud of herself, too!

I knew she could do it!!

 

[Marshay]

TL closed at 8pm and I asked Rachel if she wanted to go back to the room or go to a park. (Silly me!)

She chose MK so off we went to check out Casey's Circus area and the new Dumbo.

She really liked playing around in here and I liked watching her from a seat!

Then we rode Dumbo -- it is so magnificent at night.

Later in the trip, we rode during the day but it was "meh". At night you are transformed! We rode it twice since no one else was getting on.

Then we went on Goofy's Barnstormer twice...I wish they had actually made the ride longer, not just a new theme.

A ride on Buzz

A high score for me!

The must have picture

From here I wanted to head out before the crowds got too big but then we passed Stitch and Rachel really wanted to try it. This was her first time on Stitch and she had no problems with it at all.

We left MK and got caught up in the jam at park's closing but this time they actually had lines to board the ferry boat (they didn't in January) so it was actually pretty organized.

Lots of Brazilian Tour Groups singing away but I found it entertaining (not everyone did though).

We got back to our room after midnight sometime and both plunked in our beds pretty hard!

 

[Marshay]

So today is Thursday, July 26th and our goal is to transform Rachel into a Mermaid, go to the Garden View Tea and do the Pirate Parade prior to the Capn Jack Show.

We decided to sleep in since we didn't need to be anywhere until 11am. Then we got a call from my Tampa friends Mike and Debby that they were in MK so I told them to meet us at TPL.

A DIS friend of mine had made up a cute Ariel invitation for Rachel to the Pirates League and I pretended it was on the front door. She loved it!

I'll post pictures here of the Mermaid transformation .. but let me say that these pictures do not do it justice! It was really wonderful and showed a lot better than in the photos.

Here is the before photo -- I had bought the Mermaid shirt in prep for this trip and had the tutu skirt made for her too.

Step one -- Sign in and promise not to harm the pirates

Step two -- getting nails painted

Here is the makeup that Rachel got to go home with, plus the nail polish, too.

Step three -- twirling her hair (you can see she is quite excited)

Our hostess was Nina (pronounced like Nine-a) and was very good! She took her time and really gave us lots of attention.

In came a girl that just got done up at BBB as Merida. Since I hadn't seen this costume/design yet at BBB, I quickly snatched up a photo.

 

[Marshay]

In case you haven't seen the inside of the The Pirate's League, it's quite decorated:

Makeup is applied next

This was a great shot b/c it shows how they apply the "fish scales" for the Mermaid look. As Nina was applying the make-up, it popped up ... and that was just the time I happened to take the photo. Worked out great!

Almost done -- see the beautiful fish scales

Now adding some facial glittery sparkles

Lipstick

Adding a color changing Hair Clip and Necklace

Announcing Rachel the Mermaid

Getting a Sash and special little bag

Admiring herself in the mirror

 

[Marshay]

Then you go through a secret door where they want you to pay for a special photo. We declined but instead took photos in the public area.

Rachel with "Uncle" Mike and "Aunt" Debby

A close up of the color changing hair piece. Rachel was glad that hers was the pink one (other option was more of an orange color but we were not given the choice)

From there Rachel really wanted to go on Pirates of the Caribbean in her Mermaid attire and then we rode Dumbo, but as I mentioned earlier, it wasn't the same during the day.

Rachel tried her hand at the sword but alas, even Mermaids cannot life the sword.

A photo of two Mermaids

Then we had to leave the park for our Grand Floridian Tea. If you've been following my last few trip reports, you know that this is something Rachel just loves and we have now done 3x.

And I admit I'm getting a bit tired of it ... UNTIL I get there and it is so relaxing and wonderful and tasty and I keep telling Rachel to remind me not to complain about taking the time to do this -- it is wonderful!! So refreshing!

On the monorail over to GF -- rachel

And me

I once again got the Princess Kate meal -- 4 or 5 courses of bliss

First one was a shrimp mixture and bread. Rachel loved this and ate 1/2 of it.

 

[Marshay]

Rachel picked the Mad Hatter Tea which was a blend of Pomegranate and Passion Fruit -- it was wonderful! For the 3rd time, Rachel picked the best tea!

I had a Tangerine tea that was very good as well...just not as good as Rachel's!

On to the next course:
Cheeses, nuts, raisins on the vine, pears, biscuit, honeycomb, etc

and the 3rd course

 

[Marshay]

Next course for me was desserts and we could choose 2 of these, but since it was our birthdays, they let us choose 3

Rachel's choices

and mine

 

[Marshay]

I also had champagne with my meal.

This is always such a heavenly, relaxing meal with good food and great drinks.

They gave us roses at the end.

 

[Marshay]

I do highly recommend going to the Garden View Tea, at least once. It makes for a heavy snack, light dinner and is really relaxing. You truly are transported away from the hustle and bustle of the parks.

 

[Marshay]

Forgot to mention that the Tea is only open from like 2pm - 5pm in the afternoons and they do serve either ala cart or you can order from an assortment of "meals".

 

[Marshay]

Rachel loves the Sugar Cubes at the Tea. And since she lost her two front teeth, we've been calling her Vampire Girl.

Doesn't this picture prove it!

 

[Marshay]

A beautiful picture of Rachel and me!

 

[Marshay]

Then we got back on the monorail to go back to MK for the Pirate parade

As we were waiting we saw another film crew recording at the Captain Jack Sparrow show area. I don't know who this is but I snapped a picture anyway. (In January there was another news crew doing the same thing...must be popular).

Then the pirate parade began

The kids held a rope and marched along

Chanting "we want your treasure! Give me your treasure!" It was cute. They started by the stage and went through the gift shop and TPL areas.

And stopped for a group photo

Rachel was a bit disappointed b/c when I told her she would be in a parade, she thought I meant the actual 3pm parade!!

More photos

Scary face photos

 

[Marshay]

As they were waiting for the show to start, a CM came over to Rachel and asked her if she was willing to share her rose. Rachel said no and the other CM starting laughing at the CM who asked her and joking around that Mermaids and Pirates do not get along.

Well, as the CM turned to leave us, Rachel did a "mermaid hiss" right at her face and scared the living crap out of the CM! The CM jumped back, swung her arm out at Rachel and was completely taken by surprise.

It was so funny! Everyone, and I mean everyone was laughing hysterically -- the other CM, Rachel, myself, the people around us. None of us expected that kind of reaction from either Rachel or the CM.

Once again, I was in the middle of taking a photo when this happened, although you can't see much.

some pictures from the show

Then we wandered around MK

The water was turned off of the Circus Cars so I was able to get some photos

And of the new Goofini

Mike and Rachel rode together

Then we went on the Jungle Cruise, got Citrus Swirls, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh and headed back to our room. We had to pack up b/c tomorrow we switch over to a new resort.

 

[Marshay]

After we got back to the room, we realized that we hadn't gone to any of the pools yet ... so we got our swimsuits on and went to Hippy Dippy ... then over to the Bowling Pin pool to swim a little and then over to the Computer pool to swim some more.

By then, I was hungry and my back was hurting me from carrying both Rachel and my tubes at Typhoon Lagoon the day before, so we took quick showers and went to the food court at 9pm for dinner.

We shared the kids salmon meal and it was delicious!

A photo of the collage from our room

We packed up our stuff and went to bed. Another blessed and wonderful day!

 

[kaoden39]

It looks like you had fun with all of the things around the resort landscaping.

Yay Rachel!! What a big girl she is to conquer her fears! We should all be so brave. It sounds like you guys managed to do a lot while you were there at the lagoon.

Rachel is a real go go girl isn't she? She is a going to be a real park stormer when she gets older isn't she?

How funny having to sign promising not to hurt any pirates. I love it!! Rachel was really enjoying it a lot wasn't she? That Merida dress is pretty.

I love the way they did her eyes. If I have a reason for a costume I think I may try that. What vibrant colors they used, I love the pretty bright look.

The tea does look relaxing and what a great way to be cool too. I am so not shocked that Rachel picked the swan. It looks young lady friendly! Oh how nice!! Roses for the birthday ladies.

I love the picture of Rachel with the sugar cube. It's so fun! That is so cute for the kids. The boys make up is cute. I am glad to see they started doing that for the boys.

The Casey Junior theming is so cute! I really hope they do so rehabbing in Disneyland's Fantasyland. It hasn't been that long but it looks so old compared to all of the WDW photos I am seeing.

That looked like a rather large kids meal. I can imagine you guys were tired!! What a great bunch of updates!! I have really enjoyed it!!

 

[ALMinVA]

Loving your report!
In 2010 I took my oldest, my daughter on a mother/daughter cruise; it was a special time and a trip I treasure. She was 9 and enjoyed the one on one time with me (she has a 6 year younger brother). I enjoyed sharing time with her - she is now 11 and family time with her is forced, she would rather be in her room or on her own :-(.
We've been looking at the auto train - thanks for sharing your opinions! We have the options of BWI/IAD/DCA but find ourselves doing a drive to florida for week long trips to WDW.
Looking forward to sharing in your story

 

[pld5]

A beautiful picture of Rachel and me!

So glad you are updating your report! And it sounds like Rachel tours just like you want to!

I had no idea that Casey's Circus was an indoor playground. That's what it looked like from your picture. Edward will be thrilled when we go in February.

We are also doing Pirates League but I have to tell you, one of your pictures of the inside showed a lot of bored people waiting around for something. Was it the pictures in the back room or was it they were still waiting for their turn? Rachel made an adorable mermaid and the story about the hiss at the CM is priceless!

 

[Trentmom]

Sounds like you had a great day at TL. Glad Rachel congquered her fear

Of course, Rachel would want to go to park and not back to room, She is definitely a Park commando like yourself

Dumbo is awesome at night. Much better than during the day for sure like you said

Rachel makes a beautiful mermaid. That is hilarious story about her hissing the CM and her making the CM jump

That is a riot she thought she be in the 3 o clock parade


Sounds like a great night swimming

Looking forward to more

 

[lovesdumbo]

What a great photo!

Loved your updates. Loved reading about TL. I've never been to the water parks but I think I will when I take my DD in May.

I love the GF tea but my youngest is the worlds pickiest eater. What was the chocolate dessert you had with the Mickey? I don't recall ever seeing that there.


Dumbo at night looks stunning! I meant to try it on my last trip but we just didn't get to it. Did you get new sorcerer cards everyday? My DD was very into to them. I have a feeling we will spend more time at MK than we would have otherwise just to try to complete the set.
Your DD sure is a trooper. Sounds like you really had some fun filled days.